Monday, January 14, 2008

HASC XXI Concert

Sometimes when you're feeling all alone, you need some happiness to call your own. Nothing is going the way it should, you're trying to do the best you could. Lift up your eyes to the sky, your life's in His hand. Trust in Him - He will reply, guiding all your steps. Always at your side, you are His joy and pride. And don't you know you're never alone, it doesn't matter where you are. There's nothing in His eyes more special than you, wherever you go Hashem goes with you.The above, sung by Avroham Fried, was the accompanying music to the HASC video at last night's concert at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall(to sample, see Holyland's Greatest Hits, song # 1).

For me, the evening's highlight was the "Four Tenors" , who sang Mona Rosenblum's stirring "Moriah"(click on # 2 to sample) and "Shiyiboneh Beis Hamikdash"(see below). The four were Dudu Fisher, Ohad, Avroham Fried and Chazzan Yitzchok Meir Helfgot.

Incidentally, Chazan Benzion Miller had previously sung "Shyiboneh" at a Time for Music # 17(click on # 9 to sample), where the entire theme was Jerusalem. On the redemption theme last night, in addition to "Moriah" and "Shyiboneh", Avroham Fried began with his classic "No Jew Will Be Left Behind"(here), and also offered his powerful "Harachaman"("Nu Nu Nu"), in addition to other selections from his latest album (click on # 11 to sample).

Surprises this year included Wally Eastwood's comedic juggling(he juggles balls onto a keyboard to play songs), Dudu Fisher's parody of a Chazzon's audition, a comedic clip of Country Yossie interviews, and a guest appearance by Ohad.

Finally, I enjoyed Etan Katz's heartfelt "Lmaancha"(the title track from here), as well as his brother Shlomo's "Shabbos Kodesh"("Yismechu") and "Niggun Nevo"(#'s 5 and 6, here), the latter sung during the concert as well as during the finale.